so, what is supposed to be in the stock toolkit? I rode back over to the dealership yesterday, and picked up the owner's manual and the toolkit. The toolkit was a small vinyl sleeve with 2 allen wrenches (5 & 6 mm) and a flat extension, nothin' else. Basically what you need to take the side panels and the seat off. Dealer said "you don't need no tools 'cause it's a Honda" LOL. I said, yeah, but Hondas get flat tires too

Anyway, I don't mind putting a toolkit together, but I was curious if this is what all the bikes come with?

and, has anyone upgraded their shock spring? I've looked at Racetec, TopGun and FactoryConnection. I haven't really even looked at the shock closely, but I know adjusting the preload won't compensate for my big arse.

so, what is supposed to be in the stock toolkit? I rode back over to the dealership yesterday, and picked up the owner's manual and the toolkit. The toolkit was a small vinyl sleeve with 2 allen wrenches (5 & 6 mm) and a flat extension, nothin' else. Basically what you need to take the side panels and the seat off. Dealer said "you don't need no tools 'cause it's a Honda" LOL. I said, yeah, but Hondas get flat tires too

Anyway, I don't mind putting a toolkit together, but I was curious if this is what all the bikes come with?

and, has anyone upgraded their shock spring? I've looked at Racetec, TopGun and FactoryConnection. I haven't really even looked at the shock closely, but I know adjusting the preload will compensate for my big arse.

So I've had trouble with my key a couple of times. It was really rough getting in and out, but now that it is more used not so much a problem. However when it is cold like below 30 cold I have had several problems. Taking a lighter to the key to get it to start kind of thing, and last night I drove home when it was 23 degrees. When I got home I could not turn the key to off position, then got it to turn, but had to wait till the morning to pull it out. This is the first bike I've owned in the north country and was just wondering if this is a Honda,a 230L, or just a cold bike thing. Not something I really wooried about , just wondering.

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I have a problem very similar I got the 09 230 and sometimes my whole key will spin in the cylinder and I don't know why because it is not consistent... Glad to know I'm not the only one

If you're careful, you can pack the tools in the vinyl pouch that comes with the Ninja kit and make it fit in the Honda tool holder. And Ninja 250 parts are easy to find and cheap, esp on C-list. Obviously, if you were travelling far from home, you would need more, such as a patch kit, tire irons, compressor, etc., but these tools would get you started.

If you're careful, you can pack the tools in the vinyl pouch that comes with the Ninja kit and make it fit in the Honda tool holder. And Ninja 250 parts are easy to find and cheap, esp on C-list. Obviously, if you were travelling far from home, you would need more, such as a patch kit, tire irons, compressor, etc., but these tools would get you started.

Bought a CRF230L two weeks ago. Really enjoying it, dirt roads and trails, like back to my youth at 55 yrs! I have ridden since 1970, two stroke open class motos and 750cc street coast-to-coast and AK to Mexico in the '70s. I will use the CRF230L to do the WA Backcountry Discovery Route, with my modifications, in out-and-back loops from my home in NCW, Leavenworth, WA. With this bike, I can add single-track mountain sections to the route. Really fun on the many log roads and single-track on many mountains here. I have been riding my moto 2 hrs and MTB 2 hrs on days off, great diversity for fitness!

Thus far, I have raised the handlebars one inch and removed the seat strap. On the way is a Seat Concepts seat, Flatland skid plate, Great Basin soft bag,

Ok guys, I just picked this up for the wife. 08 CRF 230L with 5k on the clock. Got a great deal on it. New MT 21s front and rear. Literally not a scratch on it. The only thing I did was take the pee shooter off the OEM pipe. I want her to be heard on the road. It's bone stock other than that. Will I need to rejet with the open pipe or will it be fine. Anything I should know about these bikes? Anything need to be addressed before we go any farther? Thank and compared to the other thread I frequent (Husqvarna TE 610 owners sign in) this ones a bit light. Let's get good info flowing here! had to get my baby in the pic

I really like riding my 2008 CRF230L. I got it with 900+ miles for $2900 in May. I am 6' 1 " tall, 230 lbs, riding since 1970 on dirt and street, have ridden 'adventure travel' in the '70s and '80s, trail, MX, hare scrambles, east coast woods, western mountains. The Honda CRF230L is comfortable enough for some traveling, and trail-capable to be easy to ride on tight, rocky singletrack in the mountains. This is the second moto that this big, experienced rider has purchased that is reputed to be for wives, girls, or little people...let me tell you, it gets the job done just fine- not thrilling, not showy, but gets the job done.

I decided on the CRF230L because 1) 269 lbs wet weight 2) shortest wheelbase of same or larger dual-sport motos for tight mountain riding and the nasty 180 degree singletrack switchbacks 3) lowest 1st gear similar to my trials-type moto 3) lowest seat height 4) to add adventure traveling again to my life I did not spend a lot, I have a late model snomo and $10k worth of backcountry skis boots bindings bought in the past 6 yrs, so good to not go crazy spending on a moto 5) Japan-made quality 6) moderate-performance and low-maintenance motor that will last forever, simple eg no radiator, very reliable, capable of high mileage.

Egos and substitute-for-personal-size issues aside, this bike gets the job done with a wide margin of safety. In 1200 miles of dirt riding I was thrown one time, when my shifter hooked a rock on a mountain trail. With the weight and low seat height, I can put both feet down on either side on a sidehill. I can pull up the front end and pivot 180 degrees. I can pick it up if needed or easily just side it around! Safe is good, I have had enough injuries. In the past I wasted my ACL on my Husky, whiplashed my cervical spine and incurred concussion and other fractures parachuting, incurred thoracic vertebral fracture, lumbar (L1) fracture falling off of a mountain bike- enough, I do not need more hard crashes! So my thought is, when one gets control of the testosterone and boy-moto urges it is possible to have a great time riding a moto like this!

The low gearing and tractable power allow me to climb what the big $8 to $10k bikes climb...with a lot less invested! Suspension limits bashing around on rough terrain, but I enjoy finesse and reading then riding terrain. Not that I mind my former long-travel screaming moto where one just wicks the throttle WFO and hits stuff- I just got tired of the tall powerful bike on narrow mountain trails with 180 singletrack switchbacks where one rides slowly and cannot use the power and tall suspension to the full extent.

I just sold my 1987 TLR200 Honda Reflex that I enjoyed riding the Wenatchee Mtns singletrack in the high mountains- narrow, rocky, mountain trails. I am a big guy, I do a lot of hiking and climbing in the mountains and was a logger and fur trapper in my youth. My first bike was a 1971 Suzuki 50, then a TS185, GT250, Husqvarna CR360 that I tried to race, and a 1975 Suzuki GT750 water buffalo that I rode the US coast-to-coast, to Alaska when it was gravel road, and my last fast dirt bike was a new '83 IT490.

The Honda CRF230L is easy to ride and good for smaller folks. However, it is underappreciated and is a quality bike for serious terrain and dual-sporting! It works for me and I am not a wife, girl, or short person...

The 12 tooth sprocket installed yesterday made it so great on the steep black diamond Forest Trail- Tronsen Ridge from Camas. With the low gearing my 230L walked up roosted-out roots on steep switchbacks singletrack on the side of the mountain- without spinning the wheel at all. Tractable power, walks right up, easy. I ride trails and switchbacks mostly feet-up and a lot in 2nd gear, where the ruts indicate the usual nice dirt bikes have completely roosted their way up, and roosted and spun around the switchbacks.

My 230L will not pull highway speeds on a mountain pass. The last three miles of Blewett Pass Hwy 97 is steep and slows my Jeep Wrangler down to 50-55. Same for my 230L. I hoped the 12 tooth would solve it, but, alas, still slowed down to 50 in one spot on the last steep 3 mles of Blewett from Leavenworth,

That is a small thing compared to how fun, easy, safe my 230L is on dirt roads and gnarly singletrack. To do all this and pull the mountain passes fast I would need to upgrade to an $8K or $10k motorcycle. Probably not.

Anyone else using this great motorcycle for narrow and technical riding, alternated with easy dirt and dirt roads, travel/ camping?

Even unmodfied,a totally capable rough-terrain moto! I ride narrow FS mountain trails, in the tight stuff as far as I see as fast as $$ motos and faster than the heavier DP bikes, with ease. 269 lbs full of gas, I just do not drop this bike because it is little and light. The downside is lack of performance at highway speeds especially on mountain highway. Oh, and lack of roosting ability...it just climbs and goes smoothly without a fuss.

The replacement/ new thing the CRF250F is nearly 60 lbs heavier and longer. More comfortable probably, looks cool, great on all but the tighest stuff. But ...heavy. Do not forget power to weight- most folks underestimate what a 230L or 1/4 liter can do on a light chassis- good power to weight. Oh, and the simple air-cooled 230L, Japan-made, r-e-l-i-a-b-l-e, will run forever. It pulls my large carcass around the mountains in hot weather and never seems adversely affected. All the components, lights, starter, etc, just work well, always.

My hope is that this type of ride will be available in 7- 10 yrs when I have totally used up my 230L!

Great trail bike, 83 MPG easy trail and dirt road riding! 63 MPG with camp load trying to go highway speed in the mountains. 70 MPG on tight technical trail riding. With the low-end power I think I am riding faster at lower RPM = > MPG, as I learn this bike.

I put on a set of Pirelli MT-21's a couple of days ago and so far I'm very happy with them. They are certainly more aggressive than stock yet still have good road manners. I'm having some shimmy at 50+ on gravel, but I'm running 38 psi. Dropping the pressure some such help.
I put them on myself, and recommend everyone else do the same. Motion Pro spoons and Youtube videos made it go pretty smooth.

I put on a set of Pirelli MT-21's a couple of days ago and so far I'm very happy with them. They are certainly more aggressive than stock yet still have good road manners. I'm having some shimmy at 50+ on gravel, but I'm running 38 psi. Dropping the pressure some such help.
I put them on myself, and recommend everyone else do the same. Motion Pro spoons and Youtube videos made it go pretty smooth.

That's way way way too much air pressure for the MT 21!! That's a lightweight bike, 18-22 is plenty! Make sure you put the front tire back on proper, axle bolt 1st, the bounce the suspension, then the pinch bolts. If done on the wrong order, this could cause the shake at speed!